We have all been there, so do not by any means panic! You’re out on your own for the first time, you’re handling all these new responsibilities and maybe don’t have the time to cook or shop for deals, and maybe you like your weekly trip to the Oshawa Centre because it’s a social outing! I get it, believe me I do! I also understand that this may be burning a hole in your pocket and like first-year me, you might need a few tips and tricks to get your spending back on track so let’s see if first-year me can help you out!

Hello, Student Speak readers! Another year of enjoying delicious local food begins! While the blog on Big Boy’s Burrito was to be my last—I could not give up the desire to blog, so I have returned for four more. This spotlight focuses on a new poutinerie that has opened up across the street from the north Oshawa location, called It’s All Gravy Poutinerie. Located at 53 Conlin Road East, in the plaza with Campus Corners, beside the RBC. If you want to find this fine family-owned establishment, it is as easy as getting to the north location, and then walking across the street!

For this blog post, I will be writing about a topic that isn’t necessarily focused on school directly, but still may be a huge part of your experience here at university—roommates! Here’s a few tips and tricks on how to get the best experience out of living with roommates!

Roommates can potentially be friends or sometimes people that you may not even know at the start. Either way, having roommates can be one of the best experiences of your university career or, well… possibly the worst. So, without further ado, here are some tips and tricks that will make your experience with roommates a pleasant one!

If you are a student in need or in pursuit of financial aid, then you have probably heard of OSAP! As a fourth-year veteran of the OSAP application process, I completely understand that sometimes—like most technology—applying for OSAP can get confusing, so let’s break it down a little bit!

Accessibility, when defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, can be described as “the capability of being understood or appreciated.” American businesswoman and advocate for persons with disabilities Debra Ruh once said that “accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.” Putting both of those statements together, relative to being a university student, reveals that when someone is being understood and appreciated for what they can contribute, they can tap into their full potential.

I know starting at a new school can be intimidating especially if you are transitioning from high school to the big university campus life; been there done that! You might be thinking, how can I make meaningful friendships in the big sea that is university? I have some tips and tricks for ya!

I remember my first day of university like it was yesterday. I was very anxious about the change and was worried about how I was going to fit in and find my own way. While university can be quite the change from our past high school experiences, it can also be a very exciting time in our lives. The start of university is when we can begin to branch off on our own and become our authentic selves. Looking back at my first year here at UOIT, these are a few tips that I would consider helpful for incoming students:

At the Social Science and Humanities (SSH) Student Society, we seek to serve students in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. From organizing social activities, to community outreach and professional development events, our team works to enhance the campus experience of students at the downtown Oshawa location.